Power Trip played a surprise reunion show on December 1 at the Mohawk in Austin, TX. The show featured Power Trip's classic lineup alongside vocalist Seth Gilmore, who plays with Power Trip guitarist Blake Ibanez in the new band Fugitive. The reunion show was Power Trip's first show since the death of vocalist Riley Gale on August 24, 2020.
Then on December 2, the Riley Gale Memorial Foundation and the Gale family issued a statement saying that the reunion show was a surprise and that they were never consulted or invited. The family further states that they would've preffered the show to be in Dallas where Power Trip is from, among a litany of other complaints.
"The Riley Gale Memorial Foundation & Gale family are aware of the event that took place at Mohawk in Austin, TX on December 1st, 2023. It caught us entirely by surprise.
"At no point in the planning or lead up to that moment was anyone in the Gale family consulted, or even invited. We were not asked our thoughts or feelings about it taking place. If we were, we would have liked to discuss who would fill in on vocals, since Riley had laid out very specific requests for this exact scenario.
"We would have requested it take place in Dallas, where Riley and Power Trip were born, and where Riley was instrumental in building up the Dallas hardcore and metal community before even setting foot on stage as a performer. We would have liked it to be a surprise and wonderful addition to the Riley Gale & Friends Day concert, the main fundraising event for the Riley Gale Memorial Foundation, a 501(c)(3) that supports the causes Riley cared about as well as aiding up-and-coming bands through the Riley Gale Band Touring Grant.
"Riley's family would have liked the opportunity to show our appreciation to you, Riley's fans who continue to support him by listening and buying albums because we know how much his lyrics and music meant to his fans.
"As Blake said on stage at Mohawk, they owe a lot to Riley, and the Gale family agrees wholeheartedly.
"Riley's family was not included, and that's unfortunate, but for those among you who love Riley and what he stood for, you can show your love by buying albums directly from Southern Lord Records and becoming a part of the Riley Gale Memorial Foundation at the link below.
"Keep an eye out for our announcement of Riley And Friends Vol. 3 early next year — it will feature bands that Riley knew and loved along with hundreds (hopefully thousands) of Riley's fans and family.
"'Birth. Life. Death. Repeat. The goal is to manifest higher than before.'
"REST IN POWER. www.rileygale.org ".
The PRP further points out that there were some legal troubles between Power Trip and Gale's parents, Brandon and Gina, in 2021.
A lawsuit filed against Power Trip in the District Court Of Dallas County shows that the Gale family sued Power Trip's LLC and its members for unpaid monies, which the band denied. Power Trip alleged in that same lawsuit that Gale's family intended to "harass, impede and impair defendants in proceeding with their careers" with legal actions. The lawsuit appears to still be ongoing.
